Timberwolves like C.J. McCollum's shooting touch, maturity

Lehigh's C.J. McCollum answers a question during a news conference in Greensboro, N.C., before a South Regional NCAA game against Xavier. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Following his individual workout with the Timberwolves on Tuesday, C.J. McCollum went out of his way to shake the hand of each reporter covering the event.

One media member didn't have a free hand, so McCollum shook her microphone instead.

The former Lehigh University star was as comfortable in the interview as he was taking instruction from the coaches on the floor. There haven't been many situations during the pre-draft process that have caught him off guard. It's one reason the Wolves are strongly considering taking McCollum with the No. 9 pick.

He's talented, he's mature, and he could be the player in the draft most ready to contribute.

"I kind of overanalyze and think things through a little better than most guys coming out of college," McCollum said. "It's different for (coaches) to deal with. But at the same time they enjoy it, because they see my level of maturity. They see I'm ready to play right now."

McCollum is one of the best shooters among this year's draft prospects, and adding outside shooting is priority No. 1 for Minnesota this offseason.

But the Wolves don't need another point guard.

"Obviously, here they have a really good point guard in Ricky Rubio," McCollum said. "I feel like the need is at the two-guard position. They need another guy who can knock down shots and kind of score and help out Kevin Love down low. I feel like I'm that guy. I feel like I'm a guy who can be a starting two-guard in this league and play (point guard) as well.

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Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said having point guard skills makes McCollum potentially more effective offensively.

"I was impressed," Saunders said. "He shot the ball well. He's very receptive, as you guys know. He's extremely bright, a very mature (player). He's not going to be awed by the situation in the NBA."

Although his college career ended abruptly, McCollum had no regrets about returning to school for the 2012-13 season after a breakout performance in the NCAA tournament as a junior.

McCollum broke his left foot in January during a 59-55 loss at Virginia Commonwealth. He went into that game leading Division I players in scoring, averaging 25.7 points a game.

He's been fully cleared to practice since April 29. Within a week, he said, he felt like his old self.

The biggest knock on McCollum is his size. Listed at 6 feet 4, he appears to be closer to 6-2, so he's built more like a point guard, where the Wolves already have Rubio. But it might be hard to pass on a player who is being compared to Golden State all-star point guard Steph Curry, who Minnesota had a chance to draft in 2009. Instead, the Wolves took point guard Jonny Flynn, who lasted two seasons with the team.

McCollum said the NBA player he most resembles on the court is Portland point guard Damian Liliard, voted unanimously as the 2012-13 rookie of the year.

"He has the ability to make big shots, take big shots and have that solid demeanor and solid court vision," McCollum said. "He's solid in all facets, in terms of being able to lead a team as a rookie with that four years in college. I think I can do the same thing and be able to be comfortable organizing guys. At the same, time (I would) know my role; I know I wouldn't come into an NBA team and be the man right away."

Both Liliard (Weber State) and Curry (Davidson) made smooth transitions to the NBA coming from smaller college programs. Could McCollum be the next in line?

"Players can play," Saunders said. "It doesn't matter if they're at a big school or smaller school."